Motor-Hinged Orthotic Elbow Brace for Stiffness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Joint stiffness, such as elbow stiffness, caused by fibrous tissue accumulation during healing or congenital conditions, is poorly addressed by existing rigid bracing methods, which hinder effective range of motion exercises and can lead to further injury.
Innovation Solution
A motor-hinged joint brace with a stepper motor and bevel gear mechanism that provides active assistance for flexion and extension movements, stabilizing the joint while allowing frequent motion to prevent stiffness and maintain range of motion, featuring a clutch to protect the motor from opposing torque and a microcontroller for controlled exercise regimens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid bracing is used to stabilize the elbow joint, then joint stability is improved, but range of motion is restricted and joint stiffness worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The orthotic system transitions from static rigid bracing to dynamic controlled movement. The motorized actuator enables the joint to move through flexion and extension ranges while maintaining stability, allowing the brace to adapt its rigidity based on movement requirements rather than being fixed in one state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides active assistance to the user's own muscle forces. The motorized actuator detects when the user attempts movement and provides supplemental force to assist the user through the full range of motion, making the user an active participant rather than a passive recipient of mechanical movement.
2Ease of operation
If frequent motion is provided to prevent stiffness, then range of motion is maintained, but joint stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect user movement intentions and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback loop allows the motorized actuator to respond appropriately to user attempts at movement, providing assistance only when needed to maintain stability while enabling the desired range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The orthotic device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it stabilizes the joint when motion is not required, assists active movement when the user initiates motion, and prevents stiffness through controlled frequent movement. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between stability and range of motion maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If manual range of motion exercises are performed, then joint mobility is improved, but pain increases and effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized actuator performs the movement assistance function that would otherwise require manual effort from the user. By taking over the mechanical work of moving the joint through its range of motion, the system eliminates the painful effort required from the user while maintaining joint mobility improvements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical effort of manual muscle contraction with an electrical motorized actuator. This substitution eliminates the painful physical effort required for manual range of motion exercises while achieving the same therapeutic goal of maintaining joint mobility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The active assist hinged joint brace effectively reduces joint stiffness, decreases the risk of further injury, and allows for independent and controlled range of motion exercises, improving recovery outcomes by simultaneously stabilizing and assisting joint movement.
Implementation Method 1
a motor-hinged joint brace with a stepper motor and bevel gear mechanism
Implementation Method 2
bevel gear mechanism that provides active assistance for flexion and extension movements
Data Source
AI summary
An elbow brace is retrofitted to provide a motor-hinged orthotic elbow brace that stabilizes the elbow of a user and provides assisted motion to prevent or reduce buildup of scar tissue and maintain the range of motion of the elbow. A user interface is coupled to the brace for tracking exercises and the angle of the elbow brace. The orthotic elbow brace can also assist the patient in moving the arm at one or more predetermined angles according to physician instructions.